Combined vacuum-breaker and non-return valve.



. H. E. MORTON COMBINEDNACUUM BREAKER AND NON-RETURN VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 19m

1,20%,3& Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

d 27 2 Z? r "3L7 J I I 11 I 42 J5 '1 {64 22 J/ :44 Z0 46 I Jig H2. wineaesx %0 M 6 M/ I y (/%I, dj/(UXAM HARRY E. MORTON, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINED VACUUM-BREAKER AND NON-RETURN VALVE.

Specification of Letters atent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

Application filed May 3, 1915. Serial No. 25,424.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. MORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Combined Vacuum-Breakers and Non-Return Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined vacuum breaker and non return valve adapted to open a vacuum-space to the atmosphere and to destroy the vacuum between a jet-condenser and a steam-engine, in case the condensing-water rises abnormally in the condenser and starts to fiow back through the exhaust-steam pipe to the engine, which, if allowed to continue, will wreck the engine, as for instance in case the tail pipe is frozen or choked.

The invention is intended as an improvement upon the vacuum-breaker of my application #752,288, filed March (3, 1913.

A prime object of the present invention is the provision of an air inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jet-condenser, to break and finally destroy the vacuum in case the condensing-water from the jet-condenser flows back through said passage, and a closing-valve for said passage for checking the progress of the con- (lensing-water, and automatic means for controlling both valves, which may be operated by the weight of the condensing-water, which flows back through the main exhaust pipe. In carrying out this feature of my invention, as herein illustrated, an open-top receptacle is arranged in the exhaust steam passage, in the path of the condensing-water which flows back from thejet-condenser toward the engine, to receive said condensing-water, and to be moved by the weight thereof to open an air inlet-valve and also to close a valve by which to close said passage. The air inlet-valve is independent of its moving means, yet is arranged to be opened by a downward movement thereof, and to be subsequently closed manually, and the closing-valve for the passage is associated with its moving means, as for instance with the receptacle, to be operated by it to close and subsequently to open the passage.

The invention also has for its object the provision of means for draining the passage at a point above said closure, said dralningmeans being especially desired when the open-top receptacle is arranged to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser and by the weight thereof is caused to move downward for the purpose of operating the air inlet valve, thereby to break and finally destroy the vacuum, for the reason that said receptacle has a leak-opening to admit of the slow escape of the condensing-water which passes into the passage and hence must be removed.

The invention also has for its object to provide the open-top receptacle with a baffle-plate which is arranged within it, so that when the air is permitted to rush with great violence down the exhaust pipe from above the receptacle while the engine is shutting down, it will not dislodge the receptacle from its normally elevated position, either temporarily orotherwise.

Figure 1 is a conventional view illustrating a portion of an engine and jet-condenser, and a vacuum-breaker with nonreturn valve embodying this invention arranged in the exhaust-steam pipe. Fig. 2 is an e11- larged vertical section of the combined vacuum-breaker and non-return valve illustrated in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of illustration, the engine 1.0 has associated with it a jet-condenser 12, of the barometeric type, both of which are of any well-known or suitable construction, and 13 represents a pipe for the injection water, and 14: the exhaust-steam pipe leading from the engine-cylinder to the jetcondenser, in any usual or suitable manner. It occasionally happens that the condensingwater rises high enough to flow into the exhaust steampipe, as for instanse in case the tail-pipe should be frozen in the hot well; or in case of leakage of injection-water or of steam and the throat of the condenser should be frozen at such time; or more in jection-water should be supplied than could escape through the throat of the condenser; or air should get into the tail-pipe which might be supplied with the injection-water; or the tail-pipe should become unsealed which would admit air; or a whirlpool should form around the tail-pipe which would permit air to enter; or a leak should occur in the tail-pipe at the surface of the water. On this account the water will rise above the theoretical height, therefore the combined vacuum-breaker and non-return valve is of importance.

The combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve is herein associated with the exhaust-steam pipe 1i, and 20 represents a pipe-section which constitutes the shell or case which is made of any suitable size and shape to be connected in, and form a part of the exhaust-steam pipe, it being arranged in an upright portion of said pipe and at a point substantially on a level with or below the cylinder of the engine. Said section has a side-opening over which extends a flanged cap 22, having an interior recess. Said cap has associated with it an air inlet-valve, whiich may comprise a valve-seat 25, arranged at an opening in said cap, and valve-plate 26, arranged for engagement with said seat having downwardly extended wings 27, and having a center-hole through it for an auxiliary-valve 30, which extends into a recess in the cap for engagement therewith of the actuating-device. This air inlet-valve is employed as the means for destroying the vacuum by admitting air to the vacuum-space when open. The actuating-device comprises a lever 40, pivotally supported in suitable bearings arranged in the section, having an open-top receptacle l1 at one end likewise arranged in the section, and having a counterweight 42, arranged in the recess of the flanged cap and disposed beneath the inlet-valve. Said receptacle is normally held in elevated position against a stop 43, by means of the counterweight, and said counterweight is suliiciently heavy to hold said receptacle agz inst said stop with sullicient pressure to prevent it from vibrating in response to the exhaust-steam impulses. Said receptacle has a leak-opening 44:, near the bottom. Said receptacle has a valve-formed bottom 45, arranged to engage a valve seat 4L6, disposed in the pipe-section at the lower endportion thereof, when said receptacle is swung downward on its pivots by the weight of the condensing-water which enters it. This closes the exhaust-steam passage and checks the progress of the condensingwater therethrough, and serves as the nonreturn valve. This closing'- valve for the exhaust-steam passage may be otherwise formed.

In view of the fact that the receptacle is provided with a leak-opening for the escape of the condensing-water, provision of a nonretnrn valve is very desirable. Above the valve-seat i=3, an opening 47 with a nor mally closed closure therefor is arranged in the wall of the pipe-section, which, when open, will admit of the passage being drained, thus to dispose of the condensingwater which caused the receptacle to move downward and the valve i5 to close.

In operation, in case the condensing-water from the jet-condenser flows back through the exhaust-steam pipe, it will fall in the form of a cascade into the open-top recep tacle, and while filling the same, will, by the weight added thereto, cause said receptacle tomove downwardly, and correspondingly lift the counterweight, and the counter-weighted end of the lever will engage and lift the air inlet-valve, and thereby open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere, and also the cl0singvalve for said passage will be operated to' close the passage, so that the vacuum is destroyed, and the progress of the condensingater checked.

As is here shown, the exhaust-steam pipe has at a point above the top 01": the exhaustpipe, a check-valve 50. In shutting down an engine, non-condensing, or in other words, with the exhaust-steam passage open to the atmosphere, as for instance, at said checkvalve,when the exhaust-valve ofthe engine opens, there being no steam in the cylinder on account of the throttle having been closed, a vacuum is formed and theair will rush down the exhaust-steam pipe into the vacuum in the cylinder of the engine, and in so doing will have a tendency to blow the receptacle downward, dislodging it from its position and causing it to chatter, with the result that a loud noise is produced, and there is a liability of breakage of the parts. To avoid thus dislodging the receptacle, 1 have herein arranged in the receptacle a baflle-plate 51, which extends across the exhaust-steam passage, and said battle-plate is fixed to arms 52, rigidly secured to the pipe-section, and said baflleplate has holes through it, over which holes are arranged suitable canopies This b'aflle-plate may be augmented, if desired, by arranging thereon a deflecting edge-portion 54, and by arranging a cooperating deflecting-portion 55, on. the interior of the receptacle, although these deflecting-portions may be omitted.

This device is preferably arranged in the exhaust-steam pipe, as represented in Fig. 1, wherein there is usually a horizontal portion of said pipe arranged at a low elevation, and when so arranged in case the engine is warmed up andthis horizontal portion of the exhaust-steam pipe is filled more or less with condensation, it not being properly drained, either from neglect or other cause, the initial pressure oi exhaust-steam will force the water into the vertical portion of the exhaust-steam pipe. The steam in the cylinder condenses while the engine is warming up, and the water starts to flow back into the cylinder when the receptacle, by the Weight of the water which enters it,

will immediately descend and close the passage-way, and prevent atmospheric pressure in the exhaust-pipe from forcing the water back into the cylinder as condensation takes place, thus notifying the operator of the presence of the water in the exhaust-pipe, and, thereby averting an accident. The water contained in the receptacle will leak through the opening l l, and the water contained in the case above the valve %5 will be drained ofi through the opening 4-7, and the pet cock in the horizontal portion of the exhaust-pipe, see Fig. 1, will be opened to allow the water to escape.

I claim 1. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jeteondenser, a closing-valve for said passage, and means controlled by the condensingwater which flows back from the jet-condenser for operating both valves to destroy the vacuum, and to check the progress of the condensing-water through the exhaust steam passage.

2. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, a closing-valve for said passage, and means operated by the weight of the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser for controlling said valves respectively, to open the passage to destroy the vacuum and to close said passage to check the progress of condensing-water therethrough.

3. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, a valve to close said passage between said inlet-valve and the engine, and means operated by the weight of the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser for controlling said valves, thereby to open the passage to break the vacuum and to close the passage beyond the opening thus made.

4. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jetcondenser, a valve to close said passage and an actuating-device for said valves comprising a receptacle to receive the condensingwater which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valves, respectively, to open the passage to destroy the vacuum and to close the passage beyond said opening to check the progress of the condensing-water therethrough.

A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, a valve to close said passage and a pivoted counter-balanced device for said valves including a receptacle to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valves to open the passage to destroy the vacuum and to close the passage beyond said opening and check the progress of the condensing-water therethrough.

6. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, a valve to close said passage, an actuating-device for said valves comprising a receptacle with a hole in its bottom to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valves to open the passage to destroy the vacuum and to close the passage to check the progress of the condensing-water therethrough.

7. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jetcondenser, a valve to close said passage, an actuating-device for said valves comprising a receptacle to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser having a portion associated therewith which is arranged beneath the inlet-valve and is adapted to be raised by the receptacle when weighted, thereby to lift the inlet-valve and open the passage to destroy the vacuum, said receptacle bearing the closing-member of said closing-valve.

8. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet condenser, means operated by the weight of the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser for operating said inletvalve to open the passage to destroy the vacuum, a valve to close said passage to check the flow of condensing-water therethrough, the closing-member of which is operatively connected with said means.

9. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, an actuating-device for said inlet-valve comprising a receptacle to receive the condensingwater which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valve to open the passage to destroy the vacuum by the weight of the condensingwater, and a valve to close said passage to check the progress of the condensing-water therethrough, the closing-member of which is borne by said receptacle.

10. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jetcondenser, an actuating-device for said inlet-valve comprising a receptacle to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valve to open the passage to destroy the vacuum by the weight of the condensingwater .and a valve to close said passage to check the progress of the condensing-water therethrough, the closing-member of which is arranged at the bottom of said receptacle and is movable with it.

11. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, an actuating-device for said inlet-valve comprising a receptacle with a hole in its bottom, to receive the condensingwater which flows back from the jet-condenser, thereby to operate said valve to open the passage to destroy the vacuum by the weight of the condensing-water, and a valve to close said exhaust-steam passage, the closing-member of which is arranged at the bottom of said receptacle below the hole therein.

12. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and .a jet-condenser, a pivoted lever having an engaging-portion arranged beneath said inletvalve for opening said valve upon a rising movement, and a receptacle borne by said ever and arranged in the path of the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser to move said lever, by the weight of the condensing-water, and a valve to close said passage beyond the inlet-valve whichis operatively connected with said lever.

13. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jet-condenser, a pivoted counter-balanced receptacle arr. nged in said passage and normally held in elevated position and against vibration, the counter-weight which is associated with said receptacle being arranged in operative engagement with said inletvalve, and a valve for closing said passage arranged beyond said inlet-valve, the closing-member of which is borne by said receptacle.

14. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and a jetcondenser, a pivoted counter-balanced receptacle arranged in said passage and normally held in elevated position and against bottom above said closing-member, and

means for draining the passage when closed.

15. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jet-condenser, a movable receptacle arranged in the passage in position to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, and normally held in such position and against vibration, said receptacle being arranged for operating said inlet-valve upon a downward movement thereof, due to the weight of the condensingwater contained therein, and bafliing-means arranged to obstruct the progress of the air down into the receptacle to prevent said receptacle from chattering.

16. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jet-condenser, a movable receptacle arranged in the passage in position to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, and normally held in such position and against vibration, said receptacle being arranged for operating said inlet-valve upon a downward movement thereof, due to the weight of the condensing water contained therein and a baffle-plate arranged in said receptacle.

1 7. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn valve consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and jetcondenser, a movable receptacle arranged in the passage, in position to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jet-condenser, and normally held in such position and against vibration, said receptacle being arranged for operating said inlet-valve upon a downward movement thereof, due to the weight of the condensingwater contained therein, and a ba-flie-plate arranged in the receptacle and fixedly supported by means independent thereof, which permits movement of the receptacle.

18. A combined vacuum-breaker and nonreturn VEIlX G consisting of an inlet-valve arranged to open the exhaust-steam passage to the atmosphere between an engine and j et-oondenser, a movable receptacle arranged in the passage, in position to receive the condensing-water which flows back from the jetcondenser, and normally held in such position and against vibration, said receptacle 7 being arranged for operating said inletvalve upon a downward movement thereof, In testimony whereof I have signed my due to the Weight of the condensing-Water name to this specification in the presence 10 contairlied therein, and1 a baflfiiepiate arof two subscribing Witnesses.

rangec in the receptac e and Xec 1y supported by means independent thereof, which HARRY MORTON permits movement of the receptacle, and a Witnesses:

battling-vane arranged on the interior of the B. J. NOYES,

receptacle. H. B. DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

